For those colourful characters...

Final year CIT student, Holly Squair, is amongst the caliber of Canberra designers producing sustainable and innovative collections with a clear goal in mind. For Holly, the goal is to produce a zero-waste collection that appeals to a mature demographic of women with an appreciation for unique design and bold colour. 'Character' is the name of Holly's label, and it is one to watch out for at Hustle&Scout tomorrow. Holly will be displaying her garments as a means of customer research, which is an important part of developing a brand before retailing a collection. I asked Holly a few questions about her collection, and am now very excited to see her garments up close tomorrow. 

Where does the name 'Character' come from?

The name Character comes from my unique customer. They have a quirky personality that makes them memorable to everyone who knows them. The name comes from the saying 'oh she's a character' and the customer’s exuberant nature portrayed through their style and attitude to life. 

Photo: Brett Sargeant of D-eye Photography.

Explain the sustainable techniques incorporated into this collection.

Character's sustainability is influenced by the lifestyle and buying habits of the customer.  The customer holds a high value of things they purchase, looking after and caring for their garments, sometimes keeping them for years up to decades in their wardrobe.  They follow a slow fashion movement purchasing less and of durable quality each season to stay in style.

Character’s garments follow this sustainable approach to fashion by valuing the materials and process that are used. The pieces in each collection are produced using a developed zero-waste pattern making technique. This technique values every part of the length of fabric and thus incorporates it into the construction of the garment, and so no waste is produced.  The fabric is also specially chosen and designed by me, thus placing a high value into the fabric once again.

What is the inspiration behind your designs?
I draw inspiration from a range of things each season, but I always use 3 main ideas as a starting point – my two Grandma's, my consumer, and the ideas and aesthetics of pop art.

Look out for Holly and her beautiful and bright creations as they sashay down the runway at the Haus Models fashion parade (Palace Prosecco Bar at 9.30pm). 

              Photo: Brett Sargeant of D-eye Photography.